| Here’s a question for you – when was the last time you “downed tools”… and actually thought? Not scrolled. Not replied. Not ticked something off the list. Just… thought. As EAs and PAs, we’re exceptional at doing. We keep everything moving. We solve. We react. We deliver. But here’s the challenge: If we stay in “doing-mode” all day, we rarely create space to be strategic. And that’s where quality thinking time comes in. Here at Your Excellency Limited one of the recurring themes we see is this: many of you, our clients, struggle to find time for your own development or to step into more strategic thinking. Yet that thinking time is exactly what elevates you from operational support to true business partner. Because when you pause to think, you can: ✨ Anticipate instead of react ✨ Spot risks before they escalate ✨ Plan ahead instead of firefighting ✨ Add real strategic value to your Executive The reality? Most of us are busy all day… but not always effective. Research shows leaders often spend very little uninterrupted time thinking, even though it’s where the biggest breakthroughs happen. So here’s a simple challenge this week: 📅 Block out 30–60 minutes in your diary 🚫 No emails. No meetings. No interruptions 🧠 Consider one targeted question to focus on (e.g. “What’s coming up that my Exec isn’t prepared for yet?” “What tasks am I avoiding because I don’t feel confident doing them and what is this telling me?) Treat it like your most important meeting, because it is. Not just for your Executive, but for you. As EAs and PAs, we’re often so focused on supporting everyone else that we forget our own value in the bigger picture. But your insight, judgement, foresight and thinking are part of what makes you exceptional, not just your ability to “get things done.” Strategic thinking time isn’t a luxury. It’s an investment in your growth, your confidence, and your impact. You need protected time to think, reflect and step into the strategic professional you already are. And that’s where the real impact starts. |
